So, I apologize for this extremely late update. I hope you can forgive me and read this chapter? (:

Disclaimer: I, obviously, do not own Leverage.


When Parker woke up, she felt an arm around her waist and almost had a panic attack before she remembered it was Eliot and relaxed. She realized she must've pulled away slightly as he pulled her closer to him. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of peace that she hadn't felt in a long time.

Eliot pressed a light kiss to the back of her neck, "Good morning, Darlin'." He whispered softly to her.

At that she smiled and turned to face him. She opened her eyes and was literally nose-to-nose with Eliot. She noted the smile on his face that he hadn't shown very often. They laid there for a while, content to not say anything at all, which was strange for Parker. Not just the silence but how close they were. Mostly because, sadly, she was used to being used, which she would never tell Eliot. But she was just laying there. It was new territory for her.

The way she grew up, she had never been in the same place or with the same people for very long, but this, the team, they were different. Eliot was different. And that was new to her. Having a family was new.

She got lost in thought for a while, just thinking about the years leading up to the team. How different it had been and how weird it was to be apart of something now. Her eyes had drifted close as she thought.

Eliot had his arm slung over her side and her eyes snapped open as he moved it off of her and rolled to stand up.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm hungry," He replied with a smile, "You coming?"

She rolled quickly out of bed and was first through the door way. He laughed under his breath as she looked back with a smile and asked, "Waffles?"

After he had made their food and were seated at the table sitting across from her he had a sudden thought. He wanted to do this right with her.

"Parker," Eliot asked, "What do you think of maybe..." He paused, Damn how do I ask her this, he thought to himself. "Maybe going out tonight?"

She looked at him like he was crazier than she was. He looked down at his plate and then back up to her face. She seemed to be thinking really hard.

"You mean like a date?" She asked after what seemed like a painfully long time.

He smiled, "Yeah, like a date." He answered quietly.

Eliot looked to her face and saw a smile spreading across her face. "What kind of food would we eat?" she asked happily, still eating her waffles.

Her statement made Eliot smile, "Whatever you'd like, Parker" He answered easily.

"Well..." She paused, "So if I'd like you to chose, you'll chose?" He couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, Parker. If you want me to chose I will."

"Good." was her reply and she finished of her waffles quickly.

Eliot ate a little slower than her and she ended drawing things in her remaining syrup with her fingers. He looked at her in disbelief as she got syrup EVERYWHERE. He laughed, stood up and grabbed his plate as well as hers, leaving her sitting, staring at where her plate had been seconds before.

She looked to him with a smile. "That was mean, Eliot."

"You were being mean to my table," he said with a chuckle as he rinsed the plates off and grabbed a rag.

She grabbed the wet rag from his hand and walked to the table to clean up the syrup. "I was gonna clean it up." she said. She threw the rag in the sink and washed her hands. He was smiling at her with a towel in hand for her to dry hers off.

She smirked at him and ran to the living room. He heard the T.V. turn on and the channels being flipped through.

After about an hour of that, Nate called Eliot and he and Parker headed out. When they got there, Hardison looked at Eliot like he had done something wrong when he walked in with Parker. Eliot resisted the urge to hit him. Mostly because he knew it wouldn't do any good.

The job was mostly for Hardison and Parker. A hack to a security system so Parker could get what they needed and they were done. They all sat around at Nate's, The guys watching a game that was on and Parker and Sophie talking softly in the kitchen. It made Eliot nervous, not knowing what they were talking about. Especially when Sophie let out a squeal and pulled Parker upstairs.

Eliot could't resit making a comment, and with a smirk asked, "Sophie keeping clothes at your place, Nate?"

Nate just looked at him and didn't say a word. Hardison looked at them both with a slightly questioning look, but turned back to the game that was playing.

Nate and Eliot had a short stare down, which Nate ended by turning back to the game and Eliot followed. They heard feet coming down the stairs and turned. And were shocked at what they saw. Sophie came down first with Parker trying to hide behind her.

Eliot realized he was staring and his jaw probably looked disconnected so he closed his mouth and shook his head slightly. He looked over at Hardison and saw the same expression. Eliot was obviously pissed that Hardison was staring at Parker. But really he couldn't blame him. She was beautiful, or even more so than usual.

Her hair was curly, but not to much and all pinned to one side, coming over her right shoulder. Her make-up was subtle but still looked really nice. She was wearing a deep blue halter top dress that ended just above her knee and it hugged her in all the right places. A pair of matching heels completed the outfit.

Eliot smiled at her as she just barely looked up at him. He then saw she looked really self-conscious. He knew she preferred jeans and a t-shirt to this but, this, looked good on her.

Eliot realized that the whole team knew about him and Parker by now. So he stepped toward her and grabbed her hand. "You look beautiful," he said quietly. She smiled at him.

Hardison had sat back down on the couch and was turned towards them. Nate and Sophie were standing next to each other smiling and Eliot realized that, in their own way, they were a family.

Hardison was his geeky little brother, Nate and Sophie the parents but Parker, he had never seen as a sister and all things considered,that was probably a good thing.

Nate, as the father figure, spoke up. "Behave. This shouldn't affect work." Eliot realized that this was directed mostly at him. He smiled at the older man.

"Gonna tell us to be home by curfew to?" Nate chuckled and shook his head.

Eliot nodded at Nate and Sophie as he walked Parker out of the apartment.

They got in the car and Eliot turned to Parker, "So what are you in the mood for?" he asked, not really knowing if he would get a straight answer.

"Hmmm." She said as she thought.

"How about I surprise you?"

She smiled, "Sure."

He thought for a second before he remembered this really good Italian restaurant he had been to a few months ago. He knew it was kinda cliche but it was something she might like.

They stopped at his place so he could change and call to reserve. The hour long ride to the restaurant was pretty uneventful. Except for the fact that EVERY time they drove past a restaurant Parker would yell, "THERE?" or "HOW ABOUT THERE?" Eliot found it kind of entertaining. The place wasn't extremely fancy so there wasn't valet parking or anything but it was still very nice.

Parker was confused when he told her not to open the door and was surprised when it was opened by one Eliot Spencer. He put his hand out to her and she took it with a smile.

They arrived in the restaurant and were seated quickly. The dinner was nice. They laughed and talked about what seemed liked everything.

The ride home was the same. Very comfortable. Easy. Eliot thought. Being with her was so natural, even if she was slightly insane. They arrived at his house a little after eleven. He went to his room to change and came out carrying sweats and a tee for her.

She smiled, "Sophie dropped me off some clothes after we left."

He shook his head and chuckled, "Approprite clothes?"

She looked confused. He just smiled and she went to change. She came out in pj shorts and a tank top. He laughed and realized if the clothes hadn't been her's, she probably wouldn't have put them on.

She had plopped herself down on the couch and had the remote in her hand. But they both knew nothing good was going to be on.

"Do you have any good movies?" She turned to him. He smiled and went to his movies.

He ended up putting in Toy Story 3. Which he had bought. They barely got through the previews before they were making out like teenagers on the couch. She had started it, surprisingly enough. She attempted to take off his shirt but he didn't want to move this fast with her, even if she obviously did.

"Parker," he managed between kisses, "Stop."

She pulled away quickly, her eyes downcast. "You don't want me." He heard a statement, not a question.

"Parker thats-" and he was stopped.

"I get it Eliot," tears were threatening to fall now. "It's fine." He could tell that was not the case.

She climbed off of the couch and was out the door before he could even say her name. His head fell back on the couch.

What just happened? He thought.

She was out the door, down the stairs and outside quickly. She didn't really know where she was going, but she kept to the shadows and just walked, tears falling freely.


Dun, dun duhhhh. Sad. I had to rewrite the ending a few times so I hope you liked it.

I like how cheesy it is when they're leaving Nate's but I think it's okay?

What will happen next? Review and find out. (: